Mr. Hirsch to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, May 30, 1890.
(Received June 14.)
No. 131.]
Sir: The question of interference with the book
trade of the American missionaries, of which I have informed the Department
in my No. 104, March 31 last, is still in statu
quo.
The minister of public instruction, to whom the matter has been referred by
the Grand Vizier, is preparing a reply, which, as I am informed, will
shortly be handed in.
It is hoped that it will prove to be in harmony with our views.
In the meantime, however, complaint has been made to me of the burning of
some of the books which had been seized during the past winter at Deir el
Zore, in Mesopotamia, information of which has only lately been received
hero.
[Page 766]
The value of the property destroyed was not very great, but after full
consideration it was deemed best to demand payment; which I have done in a
note addressed to the Sublime Porte, a copy of which is herewith inclosed,
and which I hope will meet the approval of the Department.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 131.]
Mr. Hirsch to
Said Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, May 30,
1890.
No. 34.]
Mr. Minister: I beg to bring to the attention
of Your Excellency a case of great hardship which has just been reported
to me, which has caused the American missionaries much inconvenience and
considerable pecuniary loss.
Some months ago they placed a number of books for sale into the hands of
a local agent in Deir el Zor, in Mesopotamia. These books, with the
exception of one, were all authorized by the Government, and the
authorization was printed on the title-page of each volume. All the
requirements of the law in the case had been complied with and they were
therefore entitled to its full and unqualified protection, just as fully
as if the property had consisted of any other class of merchandise.
The local authorities, however, seized all the books, and,
notwithstanding the authorization, retained them for quite an
unreasonably long time, after which a portion was returned, while the
balance of them were all burned.
Your Excellency will at once see that this is not only an unwarranted
confiscation and inexcusable destruction of private property, but is a
great injury as well to the business which these American citizens are
peaceably following and in the pursuit of which they have the right,
under the treaties, to claim the fullest protection.
I am fully persuaded that Your Excellency will take prompt measures to
compensate my countrymen for the destruction of their property, which
was of the value of 600 piasters, as well as to make other suitable
reparation for the injury caused to their business, and to give such
orders to your subordinate officials throughout the Empire as will
prevent a like occurrence in the future.
Accept, etc.,
